We welcome questions, feedback and (especially!) puzzle submissions. Write to series editor Marc Maximov at crossword@indyweek.com.

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Harvey Estes

This month's puzzle is our second by Harvey Estes, our neighbor in Greenville, N.C., and one of the country's top crossword constructors. For the theme he chose a music event taking place in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains next week, one of North Carolina's biggest annual draws. Estes isn't expecting an invitation anytime soon: "I play guitar and sing at nursing homes, community gatherings, and any place where kindness and poor taste in music will tolerate the sounds that I make," he says.

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Raleigh city council candidates Zainab Baloch and Nicole Stewart meet up with Durham city council candidate Vernetta Alston and Durham Mayoral candidate Pierce Freelon at Frankie's Fun Park for a chance to have some fun and talk with voters.